Master of Health Science

Key facts

Available in Block Mode. Note: Not all courses are available in any one year or at all campuses.

Minimum 2 years of full-time study

What is it like?

Through advanced studies in a specialised focus subject, the Master of Health Sciences offers you an opportunity to pursue research in health sciences.

The Master of Health Science is for graduates who have successfully completed a Bachelor of Health Science with a major and wish to take advanced studies in this area.

If you have completed the Bachelor of Health Science without a major and want to do postgraduate study, you’ll need to obtain permission from the Director of Health Science Programme. Please see the Contact tab.

I’ve had a passion for sport and exercise from a young age. In my final year at college, I captained the 1st XV. It wasn’t until I started my master’s that I decided to step out of playing rugby so I could focus on developing my career.

I’ve kept my hand in the game, though. I work as a strength and conditioning coach in rugby, which is where I have always wanted to head, career-wise. I have worked as a contractor for many teams in New Zealand and the United States, most recently for the Wellington Rugby Football Union – including the Wellington Lions and the Wellington Development team.

The undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Massey helped me develop an in-depth understanding of the theory and science behind many aspects of sport and exercise, as well as gain exposure to practical components. This is extremely important in my chosen career path because, in my view, strength and conditioning is a science and an art, and the benefit of combining both elements can’t be overlooked.

For my thesis research, I formed a fitness review of New Zealand Police Special Forces. The research included the development of a survey questionnaire to conduct a profile of the group, and biomechanical assessments of tasks identified through the survey.

My study at Massey has helped me get to where I am now, and my master’s will help me progress further in the future.

Careers

Career opportunities include public health and promotion of health, consultancy and advisory positions, working with iwi authorities, quality assurance, and research.